A night of championship boxing turned into a distressing scene at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday as light heavyweight Joe George Jr. collapsed in his corner, forcing an immediate end to his title bout and leaving the ring on a stretcher.
Competing for the WBC USA light heavyweight title on the high-profile undercard of the Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn rematch, George and his opponent, Atif Oberlton, engaged in a physical first round that included an accidental clash of heads.
While George initially finished the round on his feet, the situation deteriorated rapidly once he returned to his corner. As he sat on his stool to receive instructions from his trainers, George suddenly fell to the canvas.
Ringside physicians acted instantly to provide medical attention, and the referee waved off the contest as George was evaluated.
Medical intervention and result
The Houston-based fighter eventually regained consciousness in the ring but was clearly in no condition to continue. Due to the medical stoppage, Philadelphia’s Oberlton (15-0) was declared the winner by TKO.
George (13-2) remained under the care of emergency staff before being carefully placed on a stretcher and transported from the arena for further evaluation.
Despite the competitive nature of the fight, the atmosphere shifted to one of deep concern and sportsmanship as the result was announced.
Sportsmanship in the Spotlight
Oberlton, who maintains his perfect professional record, immediately went to George’s side once he was alert.
“Just like, ‘I got love for you bro.’ It’s cool,” Oberlton told DAZN’s Chris Mannix regarding the brief exchange. “I just wanted to make sure he was safe.”
Reflecting on the accidental headbutt that preceded the collapse, Oberlton added:
I know I was being defensively responsible. If he fell in and a headbutt happened, I just know I avoided the shot. I’m glad he got on his feet, and he’s OK.
The road ahead
Joe George Jr. enters this recovery period with a professional record of 13-2, including eight knockouts. His most recent victory prior to Sunday’s event was a win over Robert Burwell.
As fans and the boxing community await further updates on his condition, the focus remains on his health following one of the most frightening moments seen in a Detroit ring in recent years.
Read the full article here
